Floating Solar Panels

1. A COMPLETE INTRODUCTION TO FLOATING SOLAR PANELS

2. WHAT ARE THEY? Floating solar panels, also known as floatovoltaics as a joke and floating photovoltaic panels (FPV) with reference to their functionality, use mounting structure that is manufactured specifically to rest and float on calm, stagnant bodies of water. Unlike traditional solar panel installations which are either placed on the ground or roofs, FPV installations can be placed right on lakes or water reservoirs thus eliminating the need of large empty plots of lands or roofs to make them work. 

3. HOW ARE FLOATING SOLAR PANELS DIFFERENT FROM TRADITIONAL PANELS? Solar Panelswhich are manufactured to be installed on land can also be used in floating solar panel arrays. Instead of customary metal mounting racking, these solar panels float above the water on hollow plastic buoys that are manufactured to endure rough weather situations. Cables aid in anchoring the panels in place and supply solar power to land to be converted to electricity where it is needed. Really, the major difference between conventional solar panels and floating panels is the way they are installed and held together.

4. WHERE ARE FLOATING SOLAR PANELS IN USE TODAY? Many floating solar farms are in Southeast Asia due to the moderately little accessibility of dry land there. Asia in general has been speedier to accept floating solar panel innovation, and the largest floating solar panel farm, worked by the French Company Ciel and Terre, is in China. The solar array, presented above, is an aggregate of 70 megawatts (MW) and was based on a fake lake that was made on a previous coal mine. Within the U.S., the principal establishment of floating solar panels was at the Far Niente winery in California. Since land is costly and a winery needs however much land that it can will deliver grapes, accounting for solar panels was not great. However, there was a lake that could bear to be put to utilize - enter, floating solar panels. One of the remarkable components of the 4.4 megawatt floating solar array in Sayreville, NJ is that it is worked over the town's drinking water treatment focus. The solar panels assist with ensuring the water by diminishing algae development and evaporation by keeping the water cool and concealed. The pond that supports the floating solar panels at Far Niente winery in California.

5. The largest floating solar panel array within the United States is located in New Jersey China has the largest floating solar panel farm in the world.

6. PROS AND CONS OF FLOATING SOLAR PANELS

7. PROS - Helps keep the water clean  The best place to install floating solar panels is on motionless fresh bodies of water like lakes or ponds. Fresh water has a high potential for growing excessive amounts of algae that can damage local wildlife by depleting oxygen from the water, and the panels serve as a deterrent. Climate Changeheats up water which then allows algae from pollutive sources to multiply. But, with floating solar panels covering the water, they help keep it cool, reducing the potential for algae blooms.

8. PROS - Water cools the panels, increasing efficiency  Heat from sun Solar panels take in extreme amounts of heat and their efficiency begins to decline when they get too hot, at a rate known as the temperature coefficient. But water has a chilling influence on the panels, growing their capability to engross sunlight and change it to energy. Heat from Panels Heat spreads to water and some water evaporates cooling everything around

9. PROS - Does not use scarce land  A perplexing selling point for large solar farms is the expanse of area they cover, especially if land is limited and costly. Using present bodies of water in its place can eradicate this obstacle. While we can’t put solar panels on each open source of water, it is an opportunity that should be taken advantage of. 

10. CONS - Higher maintenance costs Because floating solar panels are a relatively new concept, especially within the U.S., maintenance costs are higher because so few professionals have experience with maintaining the floating structures. But, the price issue might soon be a thing of the past as more floating solar panel arrays are installed within the U.S.

11. CONS - Solar panels can be affected by water Solar panels are built to be waterproof to withstand the rain, but exposure to water 24/7 might have an adverse effect on the panels. Any panels that break would be exposed to more damage from water. But this potential downside is hardly a cause for not installing floating solar panels.